The Volkswagen Touran is the most successful German compact MPV and "the" consummate family vehicle. Exactly 1.13 million units of the Volkswagen Touran have been sold to date. In Germany, it currently holds a market share of nearly 50 percent in its segment and across Europe, the Volkswagen ranks among the top five in its class. At the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig (10 to 18 April), Volkswagen is now presenting a generation of the bestseller that has been redesigned in many areas. The look of the VW Touran now follows the updated Volkswagen "design DNA". Also new aboard the Volkswagen Touran is the innovative entry-level petrol engine, the 1.2-litre TSI. It is a turbocharged direct-injection engine with 105 PS. In the style of a turbodiesel, it develops a strong 175 Newton-metres of torque from just above idle speed, yet it consumes only 6.4 l/100 km fuel in combined mode (equivalent to 149 g/km CO2).
As an alternative, this variant is also available with BlueMotion Technology - together with the Start/Stop system and battery regeneration. In this case, values for combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced to 5.9 l/100 km and 139 g/km, respectively. All eight engines (power range from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS) are highly efficient. Without exception, they are turbocharged direct-injection engines, which follow the Volkswagen downsizing principle. And this means: less engine displacement, lower emissions, lower fuel consumption yet significantly more torque! Naturally, all new Tourans fulfil the requirements of the Euro-5 emissions standard. The range of features on the multi-purpose vehicle - equipped with up to 39 storage options - was reconfigured as well. The base model is now the Volkswagen Touran Trendline (previously Conceptline). Fuel consumption of the standard 1.2-litre TSI is frugal. Yet, the base model's standard features are anything but frugal; they include air conditioning, radio/CD system with MP3 function, electric windows in all four doors, elegant decorative inserts in "Brushed Chrome" and daytime running lights.
Now on the Volkswagen Touran for the first time is the new RNS 315 radio-navigation system with touchscreen. Other new optional features now available include: the enormous panoramic slide/vent sunroof, Rear-View camera (standard in conjunction with RNS 510 radio-navigation system) and the DCC dynamic chassis control system. Another new feature on the Volkswagen Touran is Light Assist - an automatic main beam control system for standard headlights, making them a "younger technological sister" of the Dynamic Light Assist developed for bi-xenon headlights. The VW Touran will launch in August 2010 in Germany; over the course of the autumn, it will gradually be introduced to markets across the globe. The range of engines - all turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder units - should satisfy nearly all wishes. On the petrol side, three TSIs are being employed. As mentioned, the entry-level engine is the new 1.2-litre TSI with 77 kW / 105 PS. The two 1.4-litre TSI engines were adopted from the previous model; they have power outputs of 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS.
The 170 PS version is paired with a standard seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox; on the 140 PS TSI this extremely fast operating automatic gearbox can be ordered at extra charge. Still a unique offering in this market segment is the EcoFuel, which consumes only 4.7 kilograms of natural gas (CNG) per 100 kilometres in combined mode driving; and that is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 128 g/km. When combined with the optional seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (this combination is also unique among MPVs), fuel consumption is reduced to 4.6 kg/100 km and CO2 emissions to 125 g/km. Four new turbodiesels in the Volkswagen Touran - all of them now equipped with common rail direct-injection that is as efficient as it is smooth running - complete the engine line-up. Although their power values match those of the previous model, they are completely new TDIs in which Volkswagen has attained significant fuel savings.
The entry-level engine of the TDI quartet is a 1.6-litre four cylinder with 66 kW / 90 PS. Its combined fuel consumption (5.1 litres) represents a fuel saving of 0.9 l/100 km compared to the previous model. At the next power level up, there is a 1.6-litre variant with 77 kW / 105 PS. Upon request, this TDI may be ordered with a seven-speed DSG or in the BlueMotion Technology version (six-speed manual). As mentioned, thanks to BlueMotion Technology the Volkswagen Touran TDI sets a new best fuel economy value for seven-seater MPVs at 4.6 l/100 km. The two most powerful TDIs with 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS are 2.0-litre engines. Here too, fuel savings were realised in the new generation: up to 1.2 l/100 km. The 170 PS TDI has a standard six-speed DSG, while DSG is offered as an option on the 140 PS variant. Like the 105 PS TDI, customers can order the 140 PS TDI with BlueMotion Technology starting at the end of this year. Combined fuel consumption here is 4.8 l/100 km. Except for models that come with standard DSG, a six-speed manual gearbox is provided in all Tourans.
